Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-08-24
NORMAL NOTES.

Visitors included Mesdames Grant and
Robinette and Others, enrolment reached
one hundred and seventy-seven.
Mental science was conducted by Prof.
Mcneil with his accustomed energy The
"emot ions" was discused under the heads of
pleasure and Pain, Benevolent and Malevo-
lent" Professors fund of illustrations is
abundant in personal "reminiscences, while
the continual growth of the clsss signifies the
interest with which these are received. The
point in these lessons is their tendency toward
the study OF the child mind as developed in
the school room.
Constitut ion still affords varied ground
for mental encounter. Discussion turned up
on the points of eligibility, salary, perquisi-
ties, ETC., Of the president. The instructor
still urges actual memorizing of the consti-
tuition section by section. New questions
arise each day and new members enter the
discussions. Clash of opinions is frequent.
and the mimic fray is well fustained.
Geography still maintains its ground as
among the very best classes in school. The
interest is still at white heat. The eastern
continent received our attention. After
naming the general features in each division
mention was made of special points Of inter
est Rivers were named whose sources are
unknown, others whose outlets have changed
to a distance of hundreds of miles; others
have 30 outlets. The flooding Of the valley
of the Jordan and the eahara desert was
discussed commercially. Bismarcks canal
and the northeast passage were named and
their objects stated. Altogether it was one
of our finest recitations.
hysiology-Subject: Nervous system
The nervous system is divided into cerebra-
spinal and sympathetic systems.
The functions of the body are classified as
vegetative, comprising digestion, circulation
and respiration; and animal, comprising
sensation and voluntary motion. The SYM
pathetic system of the nerves presides over
the vegetative functions, the cerebro- spinal
over the animal functions. Nervous tissue
is composed of white and gray matter. The
white conducts nervous force; the gray gen.
crates it.
Physiology, surface.-The cerebrum occu-
pies the upper and fore part of the skull, the
cerebellum the lower and back part. The
cerebrum is the seat of the intellect. Its
| weight is about seven-eights of the whole
| brain The cerebellum is the source Of vol
untary motion. 1t is ridged so as to allow
| the gray matter to penetrate into the white.
| lite weight is ne-eighth that OF the whole
| brain.
History-Subject; political parties Of the
United States The different parties in ex-
istence since the adoption of the constitution
were named. The distinctive principle OF the
| Republican party, strong central govern
ment, of the Democratic party, rights OF the
sovereign states This difference first show
ed itself in the difficulty between Virginia
and MARYLAND over the oyster fisheries in
| the Chesapeake Bay. At the election OF
Washington the parties united. The first
conflict between them was at the election OF
Jefferson.
Natural Philosophy OF the
| subject of heat. Question. Are water
and steam identical! Ans. Chemically they
are; physically they are different. Question.
Why is not water changed to ste am instan-
| taneouslys Ans. On account Of the lack OF
surface heated and the great amount Of heat
absorbed in the conversion of water into
| steam. Latent heat is the amount Of heat
absorbed in converting solid into liquid
and liquid into vapor.
| The same amount of heat is developed by
the friction of a moving train as was devel-
oped by the steam engine.
| In striking match the heat is generated
by friction. The phosphorus is first ignited,
as this unites with oxygen at low tempera-
ture This sets the sulphur on fire, and that
in turn ignites the pine wood Soft pine is
best for this purpose, as there is less cohesion
between the molecules.
The subject of heat was then applied tc
the heating of school rooms. This is accom-
plished by convection and by radiation. The
stove should be situated as nearly as possible
so that each pupil may receive the same
amount of Eeat. 1t should be located also
with regard to ventilation. Long pipes
should be avoided.
Book-keeping-The professor conducted
this recitation with his customary ability
and brought out many interesting points by
his direct questioning which would not 9th
erwise be thought Of Most of the time was
spent in discussing the forms Of promissory
notes.
Negotiable and non-negotiable notes were
compared and it was shown how to change
| from one TO the other. A lively time was
had over the form Of note which was
placed on the board and several good points
were scored.
| A new feature was introduced in the OF
ganization class just before noon, which
gave all members chance to explain their
standing on the subject under discussion
which was the grading Of pupils in the diff
| ferent branches The members were called
| in consecutive order, and we had the pleas
ure of hearing from many who do not take
active part every day. This class is so large
that much individuality is impossible on &C
count of time This plan was good
as shown by the number OF
new and brilliant thoughts introduced
| A PATENT TO BE GRANTED.
| II will be remembered that some time last
| fail mention was made of the invention OF